Game apparatus with an articulated frame

ABSTRACT

An articulated frame of polygonal configuration defining a playing area therein and comprising a plurality of pivotal links movable under the control of the player participants to engage and direct a movable object disposed in the playing area in a desired direction toward an opponent&#39;&#39;s goal.

lilted States Patent 1 Scott 51 Feb. 27, 1973 GAME APRARATUS WITH AN ARTICULATED FRAME [75] Inventor: Donald W. Scott, East Aurora, N.Y.

[73] Assignee: Scott-Fisher Development Co., East Aurora, N.Y.

[22] Filed: Dec. 23, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 211,352

[52] US. Cl. ..273/119 R, 273/129, 273/127 B, 273/DIG. 8

[51] Int. Cl. ..A63b 67/00, A63f 9/00 [58] Field of Search ..273/l R, 108-119, 273/123 R, 127 R, 155; 46/1 R [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Clark ..273/1 19 R X Berkey Henderson .,273/1 19 R X 3,087,731 4/1963 Waite ..273/1 19 R 3,201,894 8/1965 Resch ..273/l55 UX 3,463,489 8/1969 Tretow ..273/l23 R X 3,550,310 12/1970 Greissau ..273/l55 X 3,662,486 5/1972 Freedman 273/l55 X FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,265,134 5/1961 France ..273/l19 R Primary Examiner-Richard C. Pinkham Assistant ExaminerRichard .l Apley Attorney-Conrad Christel et a1.

[57] ABSTRACT An articulated frame of polygonal configuration defining a playing area therein and comprising a plurality of pivotal links movable under the control of the player participants to engage and direct a movable object disposed in the playing area in a desired direction toward an opponents goal.

8 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures & 3

INVENTORS 3 Donna; zu. S0072 ATTORNEYS.

GAME APPARATUS WITH AN ARTICULATED FRAME BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to games played for amusement and, more particularly, to a new and useful articulated tabletop game apparatus.

Various amusement games incorporating movable parts for directing a movable object into one or more pockets or goals are known. Generally, these games fall into two broad classifications, one in which the outcome of the game is dependent entirely on the element of chance, and the other includes some degree of proficiency on the part of the player. The latter is more desirable because it offers a greater challenge whereby the players can exercise their skill to influence the outcome of a competitive game. This invention is directed to apparatus for playing a game of the latter type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a game apparatus in the form of an articulated tabletop amusement game which is simple and inexpensive, highly entertaining, stimulates interest and in which the skill of the players is a factor in determining the outcome of the game.

The game apparatus of this invention is characterized by the provision of an articulated frame enclosure of polygonal configuration in plan defining a playing area and consisting of a plurality of pivotal links movable under the control of the player participants to engage and direct a movable object disposed in the playing area in a desired direction toward the opponents goal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a game apparatus constructed in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view thereof;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 1, showing the game apparatus in an articulated position;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3, showing the game apparatus in another articulated position; and

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of another form of game apparatus of this invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENT Referring now in detail to the drawings, there is shown in FIG. I an illustrative embodiment of a game apparatus, comprehensively designated 10, constructed in accordance with this invention and comprising an articulated body or frame, generally designated 12, of a generally polygonal configuration in plan adapted to be supported on a tabletop or any other suitable, relatively smooth, supporting surface. Frame 12 comprises a specially configurated pad preferably formed of a lightweight, resiliently yieldable, synthetic plastic foam material, such as polyurethane for example, fabricated in a unitary, one-piece construction having a plurality of pivotal segments hingedly connected together for swinging movement relative to each other. Frame 12 has a generally planar upper and lower surface in substantial parallelism with a constant depth or thickness throughout, as shown in FIG. 2.

These articulated segments include a pair of longitudinally spaced, bumper members 14 and 16 forming the transverse end portions of frame 12 and extending thereacross. Bumper members 14 and 16 are connected together by two sets or pairs of pivotal links or members 18 and 20 and 22 and 24, each pair of Iongitudinally aligned links forming an opposite side of frame 12. Links 18 and 20 are joined to each other in an end-to-end relation by means of a relatively narrow connecting strip to form a hinge portion 26 which serves as a pivot axis about which links 18 and 20 can pivot or swing relative to each other in the plane of frame 12. The other ends of links 18 and 20 are pivotally connected to bumper members 14 and 16, respectively, by means of relatively narrow connecting strips to form hinge portions 28 and 30, which serve as hinges or pivot axes about which links 18 and 20 swing relative to bumper members 14 and 16 in the plane of frame 12. Links 18 and 20 are of progressively increasing width from hinge portion 26 to their outer ends, respectively, being provided with inclined inner wall surfaces 32 and 34 which converge toward each other and meet at hinge portion 26.

In a similar construction, links 22 and 24 are joined to each other in an end-to-end relation by a narrow connecting hinge portion 36, about which links 22 and 24 can pivot or swing relative to each other in the plane of frame 12. The other ends of links 22 and 24 are pivotally connected to bumper members 14 and 16 by means of narrow connecting hinge portions 38 and 40 about which links 22 and 24 can pivot relative to bumper members 14 and 16 in the plane of panel 12. Links 22 and 24 are provided with inclined inner wall surfaces 42 and 44 which converge toward each other and meet at hinge portion 36, the width of links 22 and 24 progressively increasing from hinge portion 36 outwardly toward their respective outer ends.

Bumper member 14 is provided with an inner wall 46 separated into two portions having tapered or inclined surfaces 48 and 50 by a restricted inlet 52, the sloping portions 48 and 50 converging toward each other and terminating at restricted inlet 52. Inlet 52 is defined by a pair of abutting .projections 54 and 56 having adjacent surfaces 58 and 60 (FIG. 4) partially abutting each other and then diverging away from each other and leading into a rectangularly shaped opening extending transversely through the pad or frame 12 and defining a goal 62 in bumper member 14 for a purpose that will presently become apparent. Two laterally spaced slots 64 and 66 are provided in bumper member 14 for the reception of a players fingers, the connecting portions remaining between such slots and the outer end wall of bumper member 14 serving as hand grips 68 and 70 for manipulating bumper member 14 and thereby the other articulating parts during the course of the game. Since bumper member 16 is identical in construction to member 14 and functions in a similar manner, the same reference characters primed are used to identify similar parts.

The central open space enclosed by frame 12 and defined by the inner wall surfaces 32, 34, 42, 44, 46 and 46 constitutes the playing area 72 of apparatus 10, the plan configuration of which can be continually changed during the course of the game by shifting bumper members 14 and 16 to swing the pivotal links 18, 20, 22 and 24 in a manner typically shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. i

The pad or frame 12 can be formed by a suitable molding operation or it can be formed by stamping a generally rectangularly shaped blank out of a strip of synthetic plastic foam material, such as polyurethane for example. During the same or subsequent stamping operation, portions are removed from the blank to provide the goals 62 and 62, slots 64, 64', 66 and 66' and the large central playing area 72. The relatively thin strip of material between goals 62 and 62' and playing area 72 is slit to form inlets 52 and 52'. Also, the blank is partially slit at the opposite sides thereof, as at 74, to form the relatively narrow hinge portions 26 and 36 and in the inner corners defined by the links and the bumper members, as at 76, to form hinge portions 28, 30, 38 and 40. The cutting or stamping tool is directed in a path of movement at right angles to the plane of the blank so that all edges are oriented generally normal to the planes of the upper and lower surfaces of pad 12, which has a uniform thickness throughout.

The game apparatus of the present invention includes at least one lightweight ball member 78, preferably made of wood or plastic used in conjunction with frame 12 and positioned in the playing area 72. .ln playing the game, frame -12 is placed on a relatively smooth tabletop or supporting surface to reduce rolling friction between ball member 78 and such surface and to minimize friction between the latter and the articulating parts of frame 12. The game is played In by two players positioned at opposite ends of frame 12 for controlling the movements of bumper members 14 and 16. Each player can insert the fingers of his hands in slots 64 and 66 with the palms thereof engaging grips 68 and 70 for ease of manipulating his respective bumper member.

The object of the game is to shift the pivotal bumper members 14 and 16 in any horizontal direction so as to strike ball member 78 by the vertical surface of wall 46 or effect actuation of links 18-24 to move their vertical surfaces into engagement with ball member 78 in a manner directing ball member 78 into the opponents goal while blocking or preventing entry of ball member 78 into the players own goal. Although the bumper elements 14 and 16 and links 18-24 are formed of a plastic foam material, they are sufficiently rigid to propel the lightweight ball member 78 when moved into engaging contact therewith. Articulating bumper elements 14 and 16 and links 18-24 form an articulated enclosure and are rapidly moved under the control of the player participants into an almost infinite variety of positions during the course of play whereby the polygonal configuration of frame 12 is constantly varied, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 for example.

FIG. 3 illustrates one position of articulated frame 12 in which bumper element 14 has been shifted in the direction of arrow A to swing link 18 about hinge 26 to bring surface 32 into contact with ball member 78 in an effort to propel it toward inlet 52'. A certain degree of proficiency can be developed in shifting bumper elements l4 and 16 to in turn pivot links 18-24 in such a manner as to carom moving ball member 78 in a course leading to the inlets of goals 62 and 62'. When ball member 78 is propelled under sufficient force into the region of inlet 52, the inherent flexibility of projections 54 and 56 causes them to yield inwardly under the impact of ball member 78, as shown in FIG. 4, allowing the latter to enter goal 62. Because of the resiliency of the material of which projections 54 and 56 are formed, they will return to their original shapes and positions after being temporarily deformed by ball member 78 so as to provide a barrier for goal 62 and impede the entry of ball member 78 during a subsequent play.

If desired, a plurality of ball members 78 can be used simultaneously with those received in goal 62 being captively held therein until the finish of a play. Also, a puck or disc or any suitable movable object can be used in lieu of a ball member, if desired. It should be understood that any number of game objectives, each having predetermined rules, are envisaged by the gam apparatus of this invention.

While frame 12 preferably is in the form of a pad composed of synthetic plastic foam material in a unitary, one-piece construction, it should be understood that the present invention contemplates the use of a plurality of separate, discrete elements pivotally joined at their adjacent ends to form a polygonal configurated linkage arrangement in plan which functions similarly to frame 12 described above. To this end, FIG. 5 illustrates another form of game apparatus, generally designated 10', comprising a plurality of pivotal segments, formed of a lightweight, rigid, inelastic, shapesustaining material, adapted to be hinged at their respective opposite ends for swinging movement relative to each other forming an articulated frame 12.

These pivotal segments include a pair of longitudinally spaced and generally opposed bumper members and 92 connected together by a pair of linkage assemblies 94 and 96. Linkage assembly 94 comprises a pair of generally triangularly shaped links or pivotal members 98 and 100 hingedly connected at their inner ends or apices for swinging movement relative to each other about a generally vertical axis defined by a common hinge 102. The wider ends of links 98 and 100 are pivotally connected to bumper members 90 and 92 adjacent their one opposite ends for relative pivotal movement about vertical axes defined by hinges 108 and 1 10. The inner side walls of links 98 and 100 define inclined abutment surfaces 112 and 114 for engagement with ball member 78 to propel and guide the latter in a desired direction.

Linkage assembly 96 is similar to assembly 94 and comprises a pair of generally triangularly shaped links 116 and 118 hingedly connected at their inner, narrow ends by means of a common hinge 120. The outer, wider ends of links 116 and 118 are pivotally connected to the other opposite ends of bumper members 90 and 92 by hinges 126 and 128. The inner side walls of links 116 and 118 are provided with inclined abutment surfaces 130 and 132 engageable with ball member 78.

Bumper member 90 has an inner wall separated into two sections provided with slightly tapered or inclined surfaces 134 and 136 converging toward each other and terminating at a restricted inlet 138 defined by two opposed projections 139 facing each other. Inlet 138 leads into a generally rectangularly shaped opening extending through bumper member 90 and defining a goal 140 in bumper member 90. A pair of laterally spaced, rectangularly shaped openings 142 and 144 are provided in bumper element 90 for gripping the latter in the same manner hereinbefore described in connection with the form of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1-4. However, any suitable handles or hand grips can be secured to bumper element 90 in lieu of openings 142 and 144, if desired, within the purview of this invention. Bumper member 92 is identical in construction to bumper 90 and the same reference numerals primed are applied to similar parts.

As in the form of the invention first described, frame 12' encloses an open space 72 defining the playing area of game apparatus A ball member 78 also is used in conjunction with apparatus 10', the objective being to manipulate bumper members 90 and 92 and thereby activate links 98, 100, 116 and 118 in such a manner as to direct ball member 78 into the opponents goal.

The present invention thus provides a game apparatus in the form of a tabletop amusement game comprising an articulated enclosure consisting of a plurality of pivotal segments movable under the control of the players to engage and direct a movable object in a desired path toward the opponents goal. The skill of the players in manipulating the pivotal segments is instrumental in determining the outcome of the game.

Preferred embodiments of this invention having been disclosed in detail, it is to be understood that this has been done by way of illustration only.

I claim:

1. An amusement game comprising: a frame consisting of a plurality of pivotal members, means pivotally connecting the ends of each pivotal member to the ends of adjacent pivotal members to form an articulated enclosure of polygonal configuration in plan and defining a relatively large open space therein, a movable object positioned on a supporting surface within said space, said pivotal members having inner surfaces adapted to engage said movable object upon actuation of said articulating enclosure, two of said pivotal members being arranged in a generally opposed relation and having inner surfaces formed with inlets therein leading into openings formed in said opposed pivotal members and defining opposing goals.

2. An amusement game according to claim 1 wherein said frame is formed of a resiliently yieldable, synthetic, plastic material in a unitary, one-piece construction, whereby said pivotal members are formed integral with each other.

3. An amusement game according to claim 1 wherein said pivotal means comprise hinge portions of reduced widths extending normal to the plane of said frame and interposed between adjoining pivotal members.

4. An amusement game according to claim 1 wherein said opposed pivotal members are provided with gripping means for manipulating said pivotal members to effect actuation of said articulated enclosure.

5. An amusement game according to claim 1 wherein said inlets are defined by resiliently yieldable opposed portions normally abutting each other but yieldable upon contact by said movable object to define an opening permitting passage of said movable object therethrough.

6. An amusement game according to claim 1 wherein said pivotalmembers comprise li nks formed of a rigid, shapesustammg material, and said pivotal means comprises hinges connecting the ends of each link to the ends of adjacent links for relative swinging movement in the plane of said frame.

7. An amusement game according to claim 6 including gripping means on said opposed pivotal members for manipulating said opposed pivotal members to effect actuation of said articulated enclosure.

8. An amusement game according to claim 6 wherein said inlets are defined by opposed portions formed integral with said opposed pivotal members along the inner edges thereof. 

1. An amusement game comprising: a frame consisting of a plurality of pivotal members, means pivotally connecting the ends of each pivotal member to the ends of adjacent pivotal members to form an articulated enclosure of polygonal configuration in plan and defining a relatively large open space therein, a movable object positioned on a supporting surface within said space, said pivotal members having inner surfAces adapted to engage said movable object upon actuation of said articulating enclosure, two of said pivotal members being arranged in a generally opposed relation and having inner surfaces formed with inlets therein leading into openings formed in said opposed pivotal members and defining opposing goals.
 2. An amusement game according to claim 1 wherein said frame is formed of a resiliently yieldable, synthetic, plastic material in a unitary, one-piece construction, whereby said pivotal members are formed integral with each other.
 3. An amusement game according to claim 1 wherein said pivotal means comprise hinge portions of reduced widths extending normal to the plane of said frame and interposed between adjoining pivotal members.
 4. An amusement game according to claim 1 wherein said opposed pivotal members are provided with gripping means for manipulating said pivotal members to effect actuation of said articulated enclosure.
 5. An amusement game according to claim 1 wherein said inlets are defined by resiliently yieldable opposed portions normally abutting each other but yieldable upon contact by said movable object to define an opening permitting passage of said movable object therethrough.
 6. An amusement game according to claim 1 wherein said pivotal members comprise links formed of a rigid, shape-sustaining material, and said pivotal means comprises hinges connecting the ends of each link to the ends of adjacent links for relative swinging movement in the plane of said frame.
 7. An amusement game according to claim 6 including gripping means on said opposed pivotal members for manipulating said opposed pivotal members to effect actuation of said articulated enclosure.
 8. An amusement game according to claim 6 wherein said inlets are defined by opposed portions formed integral with said opposed pivotal members along the inner edges thereof. 